EARLIER this week I was shopping in central Liverpool and I know there are all sorts of interesting plans for over the Christmas season including an ice-rink, big wheel, roundabouts etc. I looked for the Nativity in Houghton Street and there it was in a small window at the new Rapid Hardware Shop – easily missed – so alas there is still “no room” for the Saviour as we celebrate His Birth.

It was far more effective to have the Crib as in former years under the Christmas tree in Church Street where parents and children could admire the tree and learn about the Nativity. I felt so sad that the city which owes so much to the work of its churches cares so little for the Saviour who motivates us in our work with children, young people, the elderly, the sick, the bereaved and the recently launched bank. I hope the City Council will re-think the Nativity and find a more worthy site.

Joyce Buckland,Allerton.

Back to front

I THINK it is a great idea to put speed bumps in Molynuex Road and surrounding roads. But why dosen’ this wonderful city council actually surface the road first, instead of patching them up then putting the humps down?

Surely this would make sense because the potholes are more of a menace to the over zealous drivers and joyriders than the speed humps In 2001 my dad Ken called for these traffic hazard humps but the Elm Park residents committee were turned down.

Keith Thomas Wagstaff, Kensington

Why no uniforms?

I AM writing in regard to an interview in the Liverpool Echo on December 7 headed “No uniforms for soldiers”. You reported that the soldiers had been told that they could not wear their uniforms when they appeared on the Royal Variety Show to sing the National Anthem before the Queen. Could you please enlighten me as to why they were refused this request. They are serving soldiers, who have recently been in action of whom we are very proud.

They are appearing before our dear Queen, the head of our country. So please can you tell me WHY???

Muriel P. Jones, Warrington

Thanks to Adelphi

I WOULD like you to print my letter on the Letters Page to thank the Adelphi Hotel for the wonderful party they had for the pensioners of the Pine Lodge on Dec 9. The meal and entertainment were second to none and everyone thought the staff were so professional and coped so well although there were hundreds of people to cope with.

Everyone had a wonderful time and we will definitely go back next year.

D. Fletcher (Chairperson Pine Lodge), L4.

Look to ourselves

TONY BLAIR is now saying he would have invaded Iraq even without the threat of weapons of mass destruction.

Why is it our small country sees the need to solve the world’s problems and not worry about its own, and seeing nobody else is worried about Britain we have ended up as Johnny no-mates which is why a change of policy is vital.

Selfish as it may sound, we have to start thinking of ourselves or we will end up third world.

M. Dunford, Frodsham.

The cheek of it

THE cheek of the police booking a motorist for playing music too loud. Yet we have the speeding police cars with the speeding sirens blaring away all day and night. How can they catch anyone?

D. Whitby, L13.

Positive attitude

AT a time when everyone is over-worked in our shops and understandably stressed, can I praise the positive attitude of staff in city centre stores.

I was in town doing some Christmas shopping on Friday and was pleasantly surprised by the polite and helpful manner of most of the assistants I encountered.

I know that we should really expect this as the norm, but it so often isn’t the case. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve waited at checkouts while assistants chat to each other rather than serving.

I would like to single out particularly the staff at the lovely new M&S on Church Street, John Lewis and also Whistles in Liverpool One.

Whistles had already started its sale and was very busy, but the male assistant couldn’t have been more helpful. He went to the stockroom to look for sizes for me, and then checked the stock computer to see if he could find the items I wanted in other stores and concessions.

People like this are an asset to any store and deserve congratulations. They make me proud to be a Liverpudlian, especially at a time when the city is welcoming so many visitors.

Mrs D. Woods,Aigburth

Stay at home

IT makes be very angry and frustrated when people dawdle around shops at Christmas.

I don’t understand who has the time to idly stroll, blocking up aisles, while those of us on our lunch hours endeavouring to cram as much as possible into 60 minutes try desperately to negotiate a route around them.

I can only assume they are in no hurry because they are unemployed and haven’t a job to rush back to.

If this is the case could they please stay at home watching Jeremy Kyle and Loose Women until later in the afternoon when the rest of us are busy at our desks.

John Shephard,address supplied

Same old same old...

I AM sick and tired of hearing people complaining about all the hours of repeats on Christmas TV.

Yes there are hundreds of hours of repeats on, and some of them we have seen many times before, but I bet there'll still be better than the lot of old rubbish that is getting made today.

I know people think Gavin and Stacey is very funny, but I have watched it a few times and it's not.

As for Doctor Who – young people might like it but I can't be doing with it.

They should bring back Fawlty Towers and Dad's Army, but leave the Queen's Speech and EastEnders alone because I like them.